O Righteous Judge, Grant They Gift of Absolution

As a society we have become inundated by emojis. Most of us have become like robots when scrolling through social media sites, handing out countless compulsory “likes.” Everyday, all day, usually without giving much thought to what we are “liking.” We wish happy birthdays to people we have not seen in years. Sometimes even to people we have never actually met. The daily Facebook birthday reminders popping up lest a friend by forgotten.

If not for social media we would probably not give a second thought to many of our “friends.” Many of whom may even be family members. Yet through the gift of modern interconnectedness, thanks to the internet, we are able to maintain and build relationships like at no other time in human history. We have the ability to receive instantaneous updates on sporting events, political races, surgeries and medical conditions. Especially for the latter, a common sentiment shared is, “I’ll pray for you,” or “I’m thinking of you.” If Facebook posts are to believed, there are multitudinous prayers storming Heaven on a daily basis.

Prayers for health, for comfort, for recovery, for survival. We love to pray and send “positive vibes” to our living relations. And rightly so, the power of prayer knows no limit and prayer has saved many a person from the brink of death, I should know. But then we die and our social media presence disappears. As the old saying goes, we become, “out of sight, out of mind,” forgotten by posterity.

Everything Went White

For millennia, long before social media alerted us to prayer requests, Judeo-Christian communities have prayed daily and devoutly for all souls, the living and especially the dead. This life is not the end. That much we, in the aforementioned communities, all seem to agree upon. Although what happens after we depart this Earthly life seems to have become a point of contention.

Colors matter. Especially for those of us in the Catholic Church. Even if we don’t keep track of the Church calendar, when the priest enters the sanctuary, we know exactly what season it is. Green, ordinary time, Purple, Advent or Lent, White, Easter or Christmas, Red, feast day of a martyr. Black? It seems to have all but disappeared from modern vestment wardrobes. Black is stark, black is bold, black is scary. Perhaps, too scary for our modern, overly sensitive, sensibilities.

Sometime, after the institution of changes following the Second Vatican Council, feeling uncomfortable in church went out of style. Happy colors are now the norm. Red for Good Friday commemorations, White and Gold for funerals. White is more calm and welcoming.

Furthermore, funeral sounds more pleasant than requiem. The problem is, however, words matter too. A funeral honors the deceased, a requiem pleads for the proper repose of a soul. Black vestments remind us of the stark reality of death and bid us pray fervently for the deceased, lest they be forgotten.

Everyone Goes To Heaven

For time immemorial, Grandmothers have lectured their grandchildren that their generation is “going to hell in a bucket.” Other than this though, hell is rarely discussed. Heaven is where EVERYONE goes when they die, at least we hope? And what about that other place that has fallen by the wayside, purgatory? Another unpleasant word for modern vocabularies.

Heaven provides closure. Heaven provides safety. Heaven provides relief from Earthly problems. Heaven makes people feel comfortable and cozy inside. Death has become simply another reason to party. Family and friends gather to “celebrate life” and to reminisce about the good times. Nothing wrong with that, right? Well not in sentiment, but perhaps in theory. Remember what we profess that we belief, “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” Death is not the end. Don’t forget me when I’m gone.

I Can’t Help Myself

No, it’s not the Four Tops singing about “sugarpie honeybunch.” When we die we literally cannot help ourselves any longer. Our days of pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps are long gone. Now we are totally at the mercy of God. Of course if we go straight to Heaven we need no help. But what if we don’t? What if we end up in that purgatory place? Much better than hell, not quite Heaven though. Are we stuck in purgatory forever? Maybe…hopefully not though.

The Church has always forbid the faithful from presumption. We cannot presume that anyone is in hell, we cannot presume that anyone is in purgatory. Here is the uncomfortable one, though, we cannot presume anyone is in Heaven either. We simply do not know and will not know until the other side of the veil. Since we cannot know we rely on hope…..and prayer.

Better Safe Than Sorry

“How deep is your love…I really mean to learn,” sang the Bee Gees in a classic 1970’s song. Remember all those times you sent out texts saying “I love you” and “I’m praying for you?” Well your friends, family, and even strangers could use them more than ever, when they die. Remember to remember. Rest assured that our beloved dead remember and are praying for us here below. They are literally burning with desire to reach Heaven, they cannot get their by their own merits though. Our Earthly prayers are crucial along with the intercession of those in Heaven. If you are going to assume anything, assume your loved ones are in purgatory and desperately need your prayers. Lest they be forgotten in purgatorial fires for ages to come.

To Be Known By Name

I’ll admit it, I’ve been bitten by the genealogy bug. While I haven’t gotten into the 23 and me or other DNA testing, I have been consumed in countless hours scouring Ancestry.com. How do I fit in to the bigger picture of my family and where do I come from are intriguing questions. Not just for me but for countless others.

Not to be morbid, but most of genealogy is pages and pages of names of dead people. Those whom have taken up their final residences in graveyards. Although they have left this transitory life, this repository of names is a remarkable heritage for us as Christians. A whole host of people whom we can now pray for directly-BY NAME! Think of the countless numbers of relatives who have maybe been discovered for the first time in centuries? Maybe your prayer is the final one they need to enter paradise.

On A Mission From God

On this day in which we commemorate the souls of all the faithful departed, I urge you to pray for your loved ones. Pray for them often, by name. Make it a daily habit. They are praying for you, so why not return the gift. Visit a cemetery, or two, or three. Pray for the souls of all the departed that are there. Ask the intercession of Jesus, Mary and the saints for your beloved deceased, they are powerful intercessors! None of us wants to be forgotten forever in purgatory so don’t risk leaving anyone behind either. The best gift that we can give our loved ones is the gift of remembrance. Leave them not in the anguish of purgatory, help them achieve the beatific vision. Amen.

May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon them, Amen.